A question about Patterson Park (Port Street specifically) (Baltimore, White Marsh: renting, crime)

[nobodygirl]

I live in the White Marsh area but am moving into the city to be closer to my job.

I found a nice house on Port Street (between Fairmount and Baltimore) that I am considering renting. I've driven around a little on the block I would live on and the few surrounding blocks during the day and at night, and the area seems OK. However, the police department's online crime map shows a lot of activity. I am just curious about what people on this forum think of that area.

[fakeeyes]

Correction, this area was sketchy about five years ago. I live a couple of blocks over on Lakewood Ave, and I
have never felt unsafe. Now, my wife's vehicle was broken in to, and our XM radio was stolen, but, I was stupid and left my XM radio in the car, in plain view, on the dash. My wife's car was broken in to in Cincinnati Ohio, too, so what can you do. This kind of petty theft is at nearly epedemic levels, and impacts even the smallest towns. It is also avoidable, if you are responcible,and, though it sucks, it won't kill you. What you want to avoid in Baltimore is the kind of crime that can kill you, namely a lot of drug/gang/violent activvity. You won't find that south of Fayette St in Patterson Park these days; I live here; I should know. Patterson Park has an active neighborhood association, the PPNA (see http://www.pattersonparkneighbors.org. for more info) and this helps. When ever you can band together a neighborhood of home owners that really care about their property and the future of the place they call home, you have began a path to greatness. Patterson Park is well on its way down this path.

[ltong1009]

Ditto. I live on Lombard, just west of the park. The area isn't perfect, but if you use common sense, it is safe.

[jonjj]

I agree. I am really happy with my decision to live in Patterson Park. The biggest issue would be car break-ins but to be honest, I wouldn't let my valuables sit in a car for people to see in the White Marsh area either. It has a better chance of being broken into in the city but it does happen elsewhere too. I have been in the area for over three years now and haven't had any problems. If anything, even with the housing market, I think it has improved in the time I have been here. When I first moved here, the ladies would be working Baltimore Street but I am even seeing less of that lately. Maybe the economy?? Not sure.